Parent Partner - Carson

Counseling and Research Associates, Inc.•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$25 - $31•Hybrid

About The Position

The Parent Partner is an integral member of the Multi-disciplinary team who is a non-clinical peer provider serving child and youth behavioral health programs. Drawing appropriately on lived experience as a parent or caregiver, the position provides peer support, promotes family voice and choice, self-advocacy, resiliency, engagement, and connection to natural and community support while collaborating with the multidisciplinary team. Through trusting, peer-to-peer relationships, the Parent Partner helps parents and caregivers navigate complex behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, educational, and community service systems. The position supports families in preparing for Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings, communicating their needs and priorities, strengthening family relationships, and building the confidence and skills necessary to sustain progress following transition from services.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED.
Current certification through a California-approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program.
Lived experience as a parent or caregiver who has raised or is currently raising a child or youth involved with the child welfare system, juvenile justice system, or both.
Valid California Driver's License, proof of automobile insurance, good driving record. Driving is an essential function of the position.
Must meet all applicable California requirements for providing Medi-Cal Peer Support Services, including required continuing education, recertification, supervision, and training.
Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary FSP-HFW team while preserving the unique voice and function of the peer role.
Understanding of family-driven, youth-guided, strengths-based, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive practices.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings, weekends, or participation in services outside regular business hours based on family and program needs.

Responsibilities

Develop trusting peer-to-peer relationships with parents and caregivers by drawing appropriately upon relevant lived experience to provide encouragement, hope, practical guidance, and emotional support.
Help parents and caregivers identify their strengths, priorities, concerns, culture, values, and goals so their voice is meaningfully represented in service planning and decision-making. Strengthen their confidence and skills to advocate effectively for their child or youth.
Assist parents and caregivers in preparing for and participating in CFT meetings, including identifying goals, organizing questions, understanding recommendations, and communicating their family's needs and preferences.
Help families understand and navigate behavioral health, healthcare, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, social services, benefits, and other community systems. Connect families with relevant peer, natural, and community-based resources and supports.
Support parents and caregivers in developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to advocate effectively for their child or youth and participate as equal partners with service providers.
Conduct outreach and engagement activities to establish rapport, reduce barriers to participation, and encourage consistent involvement in services, and support re-engagement when appropriate.
Provide peer-based education and practical support related to parenting or caregiving, communication, coping, resiliency, problem-solving, crisis preparation, family relationships, and effective collaboration with service systems within the peer scope.
Assist families in identifying, developing, and sustaining natural supports, community connections, and sustainable resources that can continue after formal services end.
Connect parents and caregivers with relevant community resources, support groups, educational opportunities, and other services that address identified family needs.
Provide peer-based education and practical support related to coping skills, wellness, parenting, communication, resiliency, crisis preparation, and effective collaboration with service systems.
Support implementation of the child or youth's and family's individualized treatment, service, or plan of care within the peer scope. Reinforce family-identified goals and strategies and communicate relevant observations to the treatment team in accordance with consent and program requirements.
Provide peer-based support during periods of increased stress or crisis, follow the family's safety or crisis plan, and promptly connect the family with appropriate clinical team members or emergency resources. This position does not independently perform clinical assessments or make clinical determinations.
Help parents and caregivers prepare to manage their family's plan following transition from FSP-HFW services by strengthening self-advocacy skills, natural supports, community connections, and long-term wellness strategies.
Participate in team meetings, supervision, case consultation, training, and care coordination activities while maintaining the distinct role and perspective of a peer support provider.
Provide services in homes, schools, community settings, Agency locations, and other environments that are accessible and appropriate for the family.
Complete accurate and timely service documentation, progress notes, activity records, and required program data in accordance with Medi-Cal, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, FSP-HFW, payer, and Agency requirements.
Protect client and family confidentiality, maintain appropriate peer-support boundaries, and comply with HIPAA, mandated reporting obligations, ethical standards, and Agency policies.
Maintain all required certifications and complete continuing education, supervision, and training necessary to remain qualified to provide Medi-Cal Peer Support Services.
Supports and maintains a safe, hazard-free workplace and complies with agency safety policies, OSHA requirements, established safety procedures, and applicable workplace health and safety regulations. Promptly reports injuries, illnesses, hazards, unsafe conditions, or safety incidents. Employee-related injuries or illnesses must be reported immediately to Human Resources, and Nurse First Response (NFR) should be notified for assessment in accordance with agency procedures. NFR is available 24/7/365 at (877) 246-8608.
Perform other related duties consistent with the scope and purpose of the Parent Partner/Peer Support Specialist role.